The Dallas Mavericks play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Here’s a Mavericks vs 76ers Prediction. This article will include a Mavericks vs 76ers Pick.
Dallas Mavericks Betting Preview
The Dallas Mavericks have been in a slump, as they’ve lost five of their last six games overall. They will be hoping to arrest a three-game slide after falling just short to the Trail Blazers in a 125-122 road defeat on Monday. Max Christie led the team with 25 points on eight of 12 shooting, Brandon Williams added 22 points on eight of 12 shooting off the bench, Cooper Flagg scored 15 points with eight assists, while Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall each scored 17 points. As a team, the Mavericks shot 51 percent from the field and 11 of 32 from the 3-point line, but they allowed the Trail Blazers to get off to a flyer. They had to claw their way back from an early 17-point deficit, only to go cold and score just five points in the final 3:12 to fall short in the end.
Philadelphia 76ers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers have been in decent form as they’ve split their last eight games and they will be eager to build some momentum after outlasting the Grizzlies in a thrilling 139-136 overtime road win on Tuesday. Joel Embiid led the team with 34 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, Tyrese Maxey tallied 34 points with 12 assists on 13 of 21 shooting, VJ Edgecombe scored 25 points while Paul George chipped in with 17 points. As a team, the 76ers shot 46 percent from the field and 15 of 42 from the 3-point line as they missed out on a chance to close out the game in regulation after leading by seven points with 1:54 left in the fourth quarter, before they made up for it in overtime where they held the Grizzlies to just eight points to escape with the narrow win.
Why the Dallas Mavericks will win
- The home team has won each of the Mavericks’ last 12 games.
- The 76ers have lost 15 of their last 17 night games at American Airlines Center.
- The home team has covered the spread in each of the Mavericks’ last 12 games.
- The 76ers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games against Western Conference opponents.
Why the Philadelphia 76ers will win
- The 76ers have won each of their last 13 games as road favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Mavericks have lost each of their last seven games when playing with a rest advantage.
- The 76ers have covered the spread in each of their last 11 games as road favorites when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Mavericks have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games.
Total Points Facts
- Thirteen of the Mavericks’ last 14 games against Atlantic Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
- Nine of the 76ers’ last 10 road games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Dallas Mavericks Player Facts
- Klay Thompson ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made per 36 minutes (4.5) this season.
- P.J. Washington is one of only four qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
Philadelphia 76ers Player Facts
- Tyrese Maxey ranks 1st in the league for fast break points (158) this season.
- Quentin Grimes ranks 12th in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for FT% (86.7%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Mavericks rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (33.5%).
- Eleven different Mavericks players have scored 20+ points in a game this season – equal-most in the league.
- The 76ers rank 30th in the league for Q3 points per game this season (25.8).
- The 76ers rank 1st in the league for Q4 opponent points per game this season (25.0).
Mavericks vs 76ers Prediction
The Mavericks are still missing Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum, while the 76ers have ruled out Kelly Oubre Jr and Trendon Watfford. The Mavericks could really do with a win to get their season back on track after losing five of their last six games. The good news is that they are expecting to have Anthony Davis back in the lineup for this game. The 76ers come into this matchup as the team in better form, and they would’ve taken plenty of confidence from their gritty overtime win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday. You can make an argument for either side here, but the 76ers beat the Mavericks by 121-114 back on Dec. 11 and I am expecting a similar result here with the 76ers winning a narrow win.